On the recordJune 29, 2010
I rise today to remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, a man who loved his State, loved this country, and was a such important part of this Congress. Throughout his remarkable career, he worked for all Americans, and he never stopped fighting for the people of West Virginia. While we are here, we all take pride in bearing witness to history. Senator Byrd shaped it, and in shaping history, he built a better future for all Americans. His story was the true embodiment of the American dream. An orphan at a young age, Senator Byrd refused to allow his circumstances to limit the reach of his potential or his ability. A son of West Virginia's coal country, he was the first in his family to be educated above the second grade. He worked as a butcher and a welder and entered office to serve his community and his neighbors. In doing so, he would ultimately make America a better place for every American.
